About Poem
"Corona Says" by Vishnu S. Rai is a poem that reflects on the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on human life and the environment. Written from the perspective of the virus, the poem denies responsibility for the devastation caused and instead blames human behavior towards nature. The poem emphasizes the need for humans to be more responsible and accountable for their actions towards the environment, and highlights the positive aspect of the pandemic in restoring nature during the lockdown period. The language is simple and direct, conveying a critical view of human behavior, and the themes explored include human responsibility towards nature and the consequences of human actions on the environment."
Summary
Vishnu S Rai, an educator and writer from India, Nepal, and the UK, has written in both English and Nepali, with works including stories, plays, travelogues, and novels. However, he is primarily known as a poet. One of his poems, "Corona Says," explores the theme of the global crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on humanity.
In the poem, the speaker is Corona itself, denying responsibility for the deaths of thousands of people and the economic devastation caused by the pandemic. Instead, it blames human behavior and irresponsibility towards nature as the real cause of the crisis. The poem highlights how humans often consider themselves as the owners of the earth and all its resources, using them as they please without considering the consequences. It emphasizes that the earth is a shared habitat for all living beings, and humans are not the sole rulers of it.
The poem also reflects on the positive aspect of the lockdown period during the pandemic, where human activities came to a halt, and nature had a chance to recover. It mentions how the skies cleared and the atmosphere became less polluted, showing that nature can heal if humans do not abuse it.
The poem concludes with a warning from Corona that if humans do not change their irresponsible behavior towards nature, more devastating pandemics may occur in the future, resulting in more death and destruction. It serves as a reminder that humans need to be more mindful of their actions and their impact on the environment, or risk facing dire consequences in the future.
Themes
- Human responsibility and accountability: The poem explores the idea that humans are responsible for the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. It suggests that the pandemic is not a random occurrence, but a consequence of human behavior and attitude towards nature. It highlights the need for humans to be more responsible and accountable for their actions and their impact on the environment.
- Nature and the environment: The poem reflects on humanity's relationship with nature and the consequences of exploiting and abusing the natural world. It emphasizes the idea that humans are not the sole owners of the earth, but rather share it with other living beings. It also portrays nature as capable of regaining its original state when human activities are reduced, indicating the need for humans to respect and coexist harmoniously with the environment.
- Pandemics and global crises: The poem addresses the current global crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic and warns of the possibility of more devastating pandemics in the future if humans do not change their behavior towards nature. It reflects on the widespread impact of pandemics on human life, health, and the world economy, and emphasizes the urgency of addressing the underlying issues that contribute to such crises.
Language of the Poem
The language of the poem "Corona Says" appears to be simple and straightforward, using everyday words and phrases. The poem conveys its message in a clear and direct manner, presenting the speaker's (Corona's) perspective on the pandemic and human behavior towards nature. The tone of the poem is subtle satire, as it presents a critical view of human conduct and attitude towards the environment. The language is reflective and contemplative, urging humans to reconsider their actions and take responsibility for their impact on the world.